Lexus LX570 remains an opulent SUV

There's no substitute for the feeling of safety when navigating a snowy, icy road. The conditions make many drivers tentative, a bit nervous, and wary of losing control.

Thanks to the handling and secure feeling of the 2013 Lexus LX570 on a recent trip to Lake Tahoe, there was little trepidation as I took a morning drive to a nearby ski resort that was covered in fresh snow.

The full-time, four-wheel-drive system definitely helped relieve some stress. And in case there was some trouble later in the day on the drive home, it was comforting to know that the LX570 also came equipped with hill-start assist, crawl control, and a driver-selectable multi-terrain system.

What most drivers will like about the LX570 is the combination of gracious around-town capability and its ability to go off-road in rugged winter conditions. That's not something many large sport utility vehicles can offer.

Big SUVs are certainly not as popular as in the past. The economic hard times that hit the U.S. several years ago, combined with the rising costs of gas, has led American car-buyers toward more cost-efficient vehicles.

The LX570 seats eight people and remains a wonderful luxury SUV. It has an appealing look, an excess of power and performance, handles well for a big vehicle, and offers comfort and versatility.

Of course, the LX570 also comes with a hefty price tag ($80,930) and is a major gas guzzler. The mileage range is 12-17 mpg, but the guess here is the smaller number is more realistic. Lexus also suggests filling up with premium gas, which is another monetary drawback.

There's a joke regarding the LX570 that refers to it as the "Lexus Land Cruiser." That reference has to do with the Toyota Land Cruiser, which many people feel is nearly identical. While the two share many characteristics, since Lexus is Toyota's luxury division, the truth is the Land Cruiser isn't that much cheaper at $78,555.

The Land Cruiser is a competitor of the LX570, along with the Audi Q-7, Cadillac Escalade and the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

There's not a lot seriously new with this year's version of the LX570. However, there are some exterior changes. Lexus calls the new grille a "spindle." The headlamps are also new and are equipped with LED daytime running lamps. The rear bumper and taillights have been revamped.

It's hard to find any major fault with the performance of the 570. This is a powerful 5.7-liter, V8 that produces 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque. It can tow up to 7,000 and also goes a very impressive 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds, which is quite impressive for a vehicle that weighs nearly 6,000 pounds.

The interior cabin is both stylish (complemented by wood accents) and comfortable. The second row is equally comfortable and there's also lots of cargo space. A knock against the LX570 is the third-row could use more legroom and when folded up it limits cargo area.

If money is not an issue, the Lexus LX570 should be given a good look when shopping for a large SUV. It's a vehicle that is big, attractive, safe, and provides a plenty of performance.